Having seen this statement, the agent of one of the small firms took up the argument-and said he could not see what else could be done. "My firm," he said, "do about £10,000 worth of business a year in one line. We have only one trade mark in connection this and it can be easily imitated, whilst a passable imitation of'our goods can be made, though of inferior quality. Suppose we do not register our mark with those who happen to be on top at the moment and who, it cannot be denied, hold the reins of power, even though it may be but for a short while, There are plenty who would not hesitate to take advantage of the situation and, when they imitate our mark and put on the market inferior goods which uj will be misled into thinking are ours, we shall not have a remedy, for the Chinese Courts would not consider our claim, on the ground that our mark was not registered. Tt will cost us $18, or $10, or T have heard as much' as $62—really it is very difficult to follow the business—but, whatever it is, it is worth our while to pay it and save our £10,000 business.'
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.